Face & Neck Lift

NATURAL RESULTS, NOT THE "OVERDONE" LOOK

GET THE NATURAL LOOK

Dr Vlad Milovic specialises in achieving a “natural look” for facelift and neck lift procedures, using a number of advanced cosmetic surgical techniques – such as the MACS lift and S-Lift (Composite Face lift) to achieve a more youthful appearance, for both men and women.

Dr Milovic’s goal for facelift surgery is to ensure that patients achieve a natural, rejuvenated appearance and not a mask or pulled tight appearance so commonly associated with conventional methods.

Traditional or conventional facelifting techniques don’t necessarily take into account the fact the face ages as a single, dynamic unit, rather than as a series of static, independent parts. Over time, traditional facelifts can therefore lead to a tight, unnatural-looking appearance.

HOW DOES A FACELIFT WORK?

As we age the skin on the face and neck starts to lose elasticity. We can develop jowls, crow’s feet may appear at the corner of our eyes and the skin beneath the chin may start to sag. These are the inevitable signs of ageing and if you’re unhappy that your face has aged, a Rhytidectomy or face and neck lift may be the facial plastic surgical procedure you’ll want to consider. This decision can be discussed at length with Dr Milovic and sometimes other non-surgical options may be considered.

A facelift can be performed separately or together with a neck lift. The surgery may be performed under general anaesthesia or under sedation and will require an overnight hospital stay.

Rhytidectomy or facelift and neck lift surgery aims to improve the appearance of the face that has suffered the classic effects of ageing such as forehead wrinkles, jowls, frown lines and drooping eyebrows.

It is a very personal decision and you should have realistic goals and expectations before undergoing surgery. If you are unhappy with the appearance of your face and you are considering surgery, Dr Vlad will examine your face during your initial consultation and discuss how a Rhytidectomy can achieve an improvement and meet your goals and expectations. If you are in good health and you are a non-smoker (or you are prepared to give up smoking for at least 6 weeks prior and after surgery) you may be a suitable candidate for Rhytidectomy surgery.

Rhytidectomy, or facelift surgery, is done under general anaesthesia. The procedure can take between one to four hours to complete, depending on which technique is used and an overnight hospital stay may be required.

Modern anaesthesia is safe and effective, but does have some risks. Ask Dr Vlad and your Anaesthetist for more information. You can be assured that Dr Vlad will engage the services of a qualified Anaesthetist who is a Fellow of the Royal Australian and NZ College of Anaesthetists (ANZCA) to perform your sedation or general anaesthesia.

Dr Vlad and/or anaesthetist will ask you about all the medications you are taking or have taken, and any allergies you may have. Please make sure you have an up-to-date list before the surgery.

As with all surgery there will be scarring after a Rhytidectomy and there can be no guarantee for a perfect outcome. Dr Vlad will endeavour to minimise scarring and to keep your scars as inconspicuous as possible by locating the incisions in easily hidden sites. That way, scars will be along natural skin lines and creases. Scars will fade with time and become barely noticeable.

If scarring is a concern for you after surgery, Dr Vlad will provide you with a scar treatment plan to expedite the healing of your scars. There are several treatment options including silicone gel and laser.

The Palomar® Artisan laser system is used at our practice, and is proven to give excellent results for scar reduction. Laser offers a non-invasive solution that uses fractional laser technology to deliver rapid, reliable scar removal with minimal healing time, infection risk is virtually eliminated and little to no pain is felt.

Depending upon your general health and the extent of the procedure, Rhytidectomy surgery is typically performed under general anaesthesia with an overnight hospital stay. Dr Vlad will only perform your Rhytidectomy surgery in safe, accredited operating facilities. You can read more here.

Recovery time will vary from patient to patient and will also depend on the extent of the surgery. But expect at least 2-4 weeks before all swelling and bruising disappears, depending on the extensiveness of the lift .Numbness can also occur around the ears but this will usually resolve within a few weeks. Dr Vlad will recommend mild pain medication to alleviate any discomfort. You will be given post-surgery instructions to follow and if you have any questions, please speak to Dr Vlad and/or his Practice Nurse.

Cost is always a consideration in elective surgery, but it should not be the only consideration. You have the right to be informed about the costs you can expect, before you have your surgery. This is called ‘informed financial consent’.

Costs associated with the procedure may include:

Dr Vlad’s surgical fee

Accredited hospital or surgical facility costs

Anaesthesia fees

Prescriptions for medication

Post-surgery garments

Medical tests

After your initial consultation with Dr Vlad, you will receive a written estimate of fees and an information pack to read before your second pre-surgery appointment. The second appointment is free of charge. Once you book your surgery, you will also see our Practice Nurse who will take your pre-operative photos.

We welcome any questions you may have regarding fees.

Please note: Your satisfaction involves more than a fee. When choosing a surgeon for cosmetic facial surgery, remember that factors such as the surgeon’s training, qualifications, experience and your comfort with him/ her are just as important as the final cost of the surgery